Fight Over CEQA-Dodging Ballot Initiatives May Hit High Court

Law360, San Diego (November 1, 2012, 11:14 PM EDT) -- A California appeals court decision blocking public agencies from using a ballot initiative process to sidestep environmental review of development projects serves as a good candidate for review by the state Supreme Court, and a reversal of the decision would make it easier for developers to take shortcuts under California’s environmental law, attorneys say.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal dealt a blow to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s planned expansion of its store in Sonora, Calif., when it ruled Tuesday that environmental review under the California Environmental...